$20
THE
-“' ASTEÆA.” Standing on the gangway of H.M.S. Astræa on Christmas day was petty officer S. Moss, who is stated by the "man on the deck " to be the oldest hand in the ship. As we saw him just after his Christmas dinner, he was carrying out his duties with great delight and seemed to be quite at home in directing the visitors to the lower deck, and keeping his gangway clear of the sampans as they disembarked their passengers. On being conducted to the mess deck quite a brilliant array of fernery and bunting came into view. Reaching the whole width of the deck were festoons of evergreens, here and there relieved with colored chains and tastefully arranged floral wreaths. To view the scene from the fore side it seemed as if one
THE HONGKÔNG WEEKLY PRESS AND
duties during the ship's stay in Woosung, and the zeal he had shown in every detail connected with her. If the Undaunted had had the good fortune to have gone into action at Taku she would have proved herself, and would not have been wanting in her duty to her country and her Queen (cheers). In conclusion he wished to say emphatically that Commander Eyres had shown himself worthy of the D.S.O. in every way.
hand had planned the whole of the decorations, so neat and precise in every detail were they laid out. Round the end of the mess tables wero suitable devices, patriotic emblems, and words of cheer, while outspread across the beams were appropriate texts indicative of the season. Precisely at twelve o'clock the dinners were spread out on the already fruit-ladened tables, and roast beef, roast geese, turkey, mutton, vegetables and plum pudding "steamed aloud," while the band playing "The Roast Beef of Old England" led the procession of officers from the after deck The Commander and his following tasted the beef and padding at every mess as they passed by. and returned aft amid the cheers of the whole ship's company. During the afternoon a variety concert was held forward, when Seaman Duff played the big-drum and Seaman Jones the kettle-drum, the accordian accompaniment being given by Seaman Douglas. A long programme was gone through upon a roughly improvised stage erected amidships, the various items of which were loudly encored. Some exceptionally good talent was displayed, especially the comical quartet, consisting of E. R. Artificer Brown, Privates Field and Winterford, and Stoker Carter. Field attired as a diary-farm girl kept the company in roars of laughter, while Winter- ford proved a daring coquette and sustained his Service reputation as a "born actor." An item in the afternoon's amusements which should not be missed was the antics of the ship's goat which was presented to the Commander by Prince George of Greece. The animal frisked and bantered round the deck, and seemed to take as much interest in the sports as the men themselves.
The decorations on the Und unted were planned and carried out in a manner which re- flected great credit upon the whole ship's com- pany.
There was considerable taste shown at some of the messes, and although it would be invidious to single out any one or two of them for special mention, we might say that those of the after part were simply exquisite. The dis- play of evergreens and bunting across the deck on the after side had the appearance of a tri- ninphal arch with two passage ways over. hung with seasonable devices, the whole forming a brilliantly devised entrance, as it were, from the after dock to the fore part of the ship.
THE ENDYMION."
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(December 29, 1900.
OPENING OF A NEW PORT.
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The present moment would appear to be an unlikely one for the Chinese Government to confer upon the Foreign Powers an unsolicited concession, says the Shanghai Mercury, but this is nevertheless what seems to have actually occurred, a section of the River Bank at Wu- chang having been set apart by Imperial ediot for the purposes of general trade, the said sec• tion to be most appropriately called “The Self. Opened Port. That this concession is directly due to the personal initiative and influence of H.E. Chang Chih-tung thero can be no reason- ablo doubt; and it is, further, probable that the accrue henca to the benefits expected to Viceroy's industrial enterprises are not alto. We are glad to gother unconnected with it. be able to lay before our readers the following official documents in connection with the new settlement.
Chen, the Taotai of Hankow, forwarded to the foreign Consuls there on the 13th instant this communication, continues the Mercury :-
I have the honour to address you in reference to a despatch received to-day from the Viceroy Chang, saying:
The river side without or beyond the distance of 10 li out from the north gate at Wuchang road. Last year the Americans, on surveying is opposite the landing of the Hankow rail- the Canton and Hankow railroad, decided this this will become the trade centre for all points, was the place for its landing, and in the future
and business will flourish. On November 29th of this year I received an edict authorising me to select and open a place on the river bank ten li or more distant from the north gate as a general trade contre, to be known as the "Self- Opened Port." Thus the people will be en- riched and
commerce benefited. I have directed the Kianghsia magistrate, in company with the new Land Office, to examine and draw a plan of the river side outside of the north gate.
Besides which, I herewith send the fivo regulations that you may give notice to the Consuls of all nations to take note of the
In accordance with the time-honoured custom of cementing the good fellowship existing be- tween officers and mon on British men-o'-war, precisely at a quarter to twelve o'clock on Christmas day the Master at Arms marched aft, and asked Captain C. A. Callaghan of H M.S. Endymion if he cared to inspect the mess deck, and taste the Christmas dinners laid out for the ship's company. A reply in the affirmative being given, a procession was formed, and to the strains of The Roast Beef of Old England," the mess deck became the scene of vociferous cheering, while the viands from the well-stocked tables were handed round to the visitors. The dock had been gaily trimmed with greenery, and no expense had been spared to show it off to seasonable advan tage. Justice having been done to the good things provided, an adjournment was made to the forward deck where B variety concert was given, including songs, stamp speeches, and dances. Leading Seaman Green gave some excellent selections on the mandolin, and Second Class Petty Officer Cowell rendered a few banjo solos, as well as accom- panying the various singers. Second Class P. O. Ayre sang Navy Blue," and Stoker Batchelor gave" The Fagship Victoria." Both On Christmas Eve the ward room invited the received repeated plaudits, and both gave well Opened Business Place" ten li or more outside 1. Having received an edict to open a “Self- Captain and officers to a spread, and the greatest chosen encores. Mr. Newlove and Mr. Hing of Wuchang, I (the Viceroy) have deputed of cordiality prevailed. Covers were laid for eigh ston in two songs and dances acquitted them-officers to select a convenient place and establish - teen, and the post prandial proceedings includ-selves, and a pleasant afternoon wound up by boundaries. Having done this they are to pre- ed a song by Sir Douglas Brownrigg, entitled, the whole company singing the National An- "But & very different place." It was enthusia- them.
pare a map with explanations, which is to be sent to the Consuls of all nations that they may stically received, as well as one from Dr. Hardy "Down among the dead man. The Car
notify their national merchants. penter also sang a topical song and received & bumper. 'Auld-lang-syno" was given as finale three times round the table, and a pleasant seasonable evening was brought to close by the singing of the National
B
Anthem.
THE "UNDAUNTED.”
1
THE TERRIBLE."
same.
In compliance with the above I write to you and send copies of the five regulations.
Business Place," ten li or more outside of the The five regulations of the "Self-Opened, North Gate, are:----
The
Christmas Day on board the Terrible was 2. All lands included in the specified boun observed in true naval fashion, the interior of daries, both public and private, are to be under the ship being richly decorated throughout. the control of the "Riverside Office" which I Many of the lower deck messes were triumphs have established and which office will select sites, amongst evergreens, whilst their tables bent suls will be notified when the map is completed, of the decorator's art, some being almost hid arrange rentals, give certificates, etc. All Con- beneath the weight of luxuries of every eatable that they may inform the merchants of the description. It would seem as if the length of date fixed, when they may be present at the This was the fourth Christmas the men on the order had been governed by the length of Riverside Office and offer bids for rental the Undaunted had spent away from Home, the mess table instead of by the number of its before the official. To avoid trouble, neither and naturally when the Commander, headed by consuming inhabitants, to judge of the quantity Chinese nor foreign merchants will be allowed the ship's band, and followed by his officers of Christinas cheer that covered their surface, to make private arrangements with citizens in to the tune of "The Roast Beef of Old the odd spaces being filled in by photographs renting this property. Merchants renting England," reached the mess deck, all was on of sweethearts, from the gay geisha to the land in the limits belonging to citizens must the tiptoe of expectation surmising that at last puritanical maid of Somerset. Punctually at pay the rental to the official office. he had received his homeward-bound orders. noon the Captain, accompanied by Mrs. Scott,official will decide what part of this to give tho Not so. He tasted the "duff" at every mess, all the officers and many civilian friends, owner, and the balance will be reserved in the and when he had finished, he wished all the ship's made a tour round the decks preceded by the office for local use in making a bund, Alling in, company "A Merry Christmas and a Happy ship's band, playing "The Roast Beef of Old Eng- excavating the inner ditch, repairing the dyke, New Year." Lieut. Chetwood was then shoulder- | land which by the way was conspicuous by making landings and carriage roads and es ed and carried round the mess deck to the tune its absonce-and partook of the delicacies from tablishing a police force; and thus the place of He's a Jolly Good Fellow." After the of. | the proffered plates, wishing each mess the will prosper and, both Chinese and foreign ficers had returned to the after deck, the petty Complimonts of the Season. The parade over, merchants be benefitǝd. officers and crew proceeded to carry out the dinner commenced, the afternoon being given day's programme. The oldest P.O., addressing up to frivolity, and in the evening a smoking his mess mates, paid a high tribute to his concert was held forward for the ship's company, Commander who, he said, was "more than a whilst the wardroom entertained the gunner and Jolly Good Fellow." There was no doubt about subordinate officers to dinner; a programme of it. Comdr. Eyres was the best naval comman- music and songs following. Capt. Scott also der on the station, and they knew it. They gave a luncheon party on board at noon, and a 4. The rules for the government of the could not accord him more praise than was due dinner in the evening, the latter being attended Self-Opened Business Place" outside of Wu- to him. He well deserved their unstinted good by Mrs. Scott, Miss Westrop, Capt. Hoffme-chang, and for the protection of the merchants, wishes at this season of the year. It was a great yer, Imperial German Navy, Capt. Warrender, will be established by the Viceroy in a new set pity, he continued, that the Home Government Barfleur, Commander Ogilvy, Lient. Worsley, of regulations, and a day proclaimed for them did not recompense Comdr. Eyres for the as Astrea, Lients. Onslow and Wilde, and Sub- to take effect. The officials will establish siduous manner in which he had carried out his Lieut. Osborne, Terrible.
Labour Office and a Detective Omce, the ex-
3.—Inasmuch as this is a “Self-Established Business Place," outside of Wuchang, mer- chants of all nations are to live together without discrimination, and all will be treated the same, and it will not be necessary for each nation to have its particular limits.
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